California

We have been planning our trip to California for a while now.  Aaron loves Legos (see previous post) and we promised him that the next vacation would be to Legoland.  We got up early on Tuesday morning and made it to Mom's house at 4:30 am so she could give us a ride to the airport.  

I packed my sunscreen in my purse and it was confiscated by TSA.  Funny thing was, the guy in front of me had his OFF confiscated and I was thinking in my head, "Idiot, don't you know not

 to pack that stuff in your carryon?"  People in glass houses.....

While riding the moving sidewalk, Aaron quipped, "Now I know how luggage feels."  Funny.  

We arrived in San Diego at 8:30 am and headed straight to the USS Midway.  www.midway.org.  This was awesome and we all loved it!  The midway is an aircraft carrier.  It has 3 decks and was huge.  It took us over 3 hours to see the whole ship.  

Next, we headed to Oceanside Beach.  It was a little chilly, but the kids didn't care.  We went to dinner at Ruby's, a 50's diner, at the end of the pier.  Yum!

The next day was Legoland.  This was the day that Aaron and I conquered our fear of roller coasters.  Good thing, because we would go on many more roller coasters before our vacation was over!  Aaron and Van took a Lego class while Alyssa and I explored the park.  I decided to put my fear of roller coasters aside and go on them.  It was so much fun!  I then decided when we met back up with Aaron and Van that I was going to make Aaron go on the roller coaster.  As we were on the ride I knew that Aaron was scared.  We came up to the steep drop off and I said a silent prayer.  At the bottom of the hill I heard loud, roaring laughter coming from my son.  It was music to my ears!  That's what Aaron did on every "scary" ride, while Alyssa and I were screaming, Aaron was laughing out loud.  Check out his expression BEFORE the rides.  

I think Alyssa and I are allowed to go through this gate-don't you?

This water fountain had water coming up in all sorts of places.  Aaron was able to stand in the middle of it, have water squirt out all over and not get wet.  Van told Alyssa to go there so he could get her picture.  She did, but a big stream of water came out the center and Alyssa got soaking wet.  She spent the next few hours giving poor Van the silent treatment.  Such is life with a preteen.  This happened many times during our trip.  Most of the time Van and I didn't know what we did to her.  Once Van asked her why she was mad at him and she said,  "If you dont'know, I shouldn't have to tell you."  Yikes, has she been listening to me? 

Next day:  SeaWorld

I have to say that this day was our least favorite day.  The Shamu show was awesome!  Alyssa and I sat in the soak zone and got soaked!  Van and Aaron elected to sit up higher where they wouldn't get wet.  We weren't that impressed with the aquarium exhibits.  The rides were fun, but there were only 2.  There was a sky cab and an observation tower that you had to pay $3 a person to go on.  We didn't go on these.  I felt that since I had paid almost $200 just to get in, we shouldn't have to pay for the extra rides.  That night we went to a delicious Mexican restaurant, El Indio, which was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives."

Next Day:  Disneyland!

This was an awesome day.  I have to say though, that the "magic" of Disney is gone for my kids.  They saw it as a great amusement park, but weren't into the characters.  Every time we walked by a character and I wanted a picture, the kids rolled their eyes and wanted to keep going.  One of the shows that Aaron was looking forward to was Jedi Training Academy.  Participants are randomly selected to be part of the show. I had read that kids who wear Star War's costumes are more likely to be picked, so we packed one of Aaron's costumes.  Right before the show, he put it on.  When he got to the show, he realized he was the only one wearing a costume (that's the whole point) and so he refused to volunteer for the show.  Alyssa did volunteer though and Van thought this show was one of his favorite parts of Disneyland.  

The final day was another beach day at Huntington Beach.  The weather was warm and it was a very relaxing day.  I decided to try my hand at boogie boarding-it looked so easy.  It's not!  I was waiting for the wave, but rather than ride the wave in, the wave came over me and I did somersaults in the water.  The boogie board hit my head and I saw stars.  I was disoriented and couldn't find my way to the surface.  Finally I came up for air.   Van was standing near me and so I knew I wasn't in danger, even though it was scary.  Van thought I overreacted a little seeing as it was only 4 feet of water (but with the wave it was higher!)  Overreact??!  Me?!?!?  Below is my bruise from when the board his me.  

Camping in August

In August, we headed out for our annual camping trip.  We try to go camping at least once a summer and decided since summer was almost over we better get on it!  Because Van works Friday nights, we were only able to go for one night and so we needed a close place.  We found a wonderful place that we will definitely go back to.  Garden of the Gods Campground is only an hour away from our house.  It has a pool and is very close to stores, restaurants, Starbucks, etc...  Yes, I know, some people may not call it real camping, but we had a great time!  I didn't want to spend a lot of time packing food for one night and so we ate at Sonic for lunch the first day.  We cooked hot dogs, baked beans, and of course, smores for dinner that night.   On Sunday morning, the campground had a delicious pancake breakfast.  

We drove up to Crystal Lake at Pikes Peak to go fishing.  Unfortunately, we didn't have any luck fishing.  I think next time we'll go to a stocked pond!    We also went to Garden of the Gods to ride our bikes.  The trail was beautiful and we rode right by a herd of bighorn sheep.  I love Colorado!





 

First Day of School!

After less than 2 weeks off, we're all back to school (gotta love year round!).  Next break:  September!  Aaron is in 3rd grade and Alyssa is in 6th.  I can't believe that Alyssa is already in 6th grade.  One more year and she'll be in middle school-away from me!  Alyssa and I have been at the same school since she started kindergarten.  I'm not sure how I'll be when I can't poke my head in her classroom or give her a hug as she's walking by me in the hallway.  

Aaron loved the first day of school.  I asked him what was so great and he said, "Everything", when I asked him to be more specific, he said, "Writing, because it was so quiet and he really like what he was writing about".  ???  Is this my child?  Writing?  Not recess, lunch, etc...

Aaron and Alyssa in their new back to school outfits!

30th Anniversary!

No, Van and I haven't been married 30 years (15 in October!), but my mom and step-dad just celebrated their 30th on July 7th.  After being prayed over at church, we all headed to White Fence Farm for a delicious fried-chicken meal served family style.  The restaurant has beautiful gardens, petting zoo, pond, playground, and many other fun activities for families. 

Uncle Timmy and Aaron sharing a hot fudge Sundae and deep in conversation.  

The whole clan!  Soon to be bigger when Timmy gets married on September 5th.  

I saw this flower "sculpture" at the restaurant and I had to take a picture.  I love it and I'm going to try to recreate it for my yard.  

4th of July

4th of July was busy, busy, busy! We started the day with a bike parade at Flagstone, put on by the HOA.  

The kids decorated their bikes, scooters, strollers, wagons, dogs, etc.. and marched around the school.  The Castle Rock Fire Department was there and turned their hose on.  The kids loved it!  It was a little cool so I thought they were all crazy!

Later that afternoon, we headed over to my brother's house for a barbeque.  

Timmy (my brother), Van, and Art (my step-dad) just chilling out.  

Later we headed to Coor's Field for the Rockies game.  It was raining and we were a little worried about the weather.   But luckily it stopped as soon as we got there.  The game was great (even though the Rockies blew an early game lead) and the fireworks were the most spectacular I've ever seen!  (the pictures don't do it justice!)

Bottom row:  Art (my stepdad), Mom, Aaron

Top Row:  Alyssa, Van, Timmy, Andrew

Me and my two baby brothers

Both of the kids conked out during the game, but were awake for the fireworks.  

Tri the Rock

We got up early to take Alyssa to Tri the Rock, a youth triathlon in Castle Rock.  It was Alyssa's second year participating in this event.  In her age division, they swam 100 meters (4 lengths of the pool), biked 8 K and ran 2K.  The event started at 8:00, but the bike racks opened at 6:30.  Our goal was to be there by 7.  Yeah right, we did make it by 7:20.  BUT, Alyssa forgot her swim goggles (last year she forgot her helmet, I'm making a checklist next year!).  Van ran home to get her goggles, but according to Alyssa got the wrong ones.  We knew when Alyssa got out of the water, that is was going to be a long race.  She was already wiped out and still had to ride her bike and run (or walk).  During her "run", Van went to find her and ran alongside her to encourage her to jog and not walk.  I tried to get Aaron to meet her 50 yards before the finish line and run in with her, but he wouldn't.  That would have been a heartwarming moment!  But alas, it was not to be.  Alyssa finished in 50 minutes and 48 seconds: 18 out of 29 in her age division.  She was very disappointed, but Van and I are very proud of her!

Before the race:  well-rested and ready to go!  Getting ready to jump in the pool

Getting ready for her bike ride. 

And she's off for her 8K bike ride!

Waiting for Alyssa to come back from her bike ride. 

Playing Legos to past the time (see previous post about Legos).

  
And here she is!

And she's off on her 2K run!  

Looking tired.

The finish line:  Go Alyssa!

Waiting for the results.  An ice cream cone always helps the time go faster!